ECOSOC Youth Forum

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, taking place on 8-9 April 2019 at United Nations headquarters, provides a platform for young leaders from around the world to engage in a dialogue among themselves and with United Nations Member States. The two-day event will feature plenary sessions, interactive thematic and regionally-based discussions, and provide an opportunity for a rich exchange of views and ideas on innovative solutions to issues of relevance to young people on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and also on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under review in the Economic and Social Council and the High-level Political Forum in 2019.

SDG 16 “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” is one of the goals under review. The thematic breakout session will take place on 8 April at 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Conference Room 6, where young people will discuss recommendations on youth empowerment for peaceful, just and inclusive societies. The co-organizers of the session on SDG 16 at the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2019 are UNODC, UN MGCY, PBSO, UNFPA, OSRSG CAAC, UNOY, WFUNA, UNAOC and UNDP.

UNAOC, in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Spain, Permanent Mission of Finland, UNFPA, PBSO and Search for Common Ground, will be hosting a side event at this year’s ECOSOC Youth Forum on Tuesday 9 April, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. in Conference Room E. The topic will be Investing in Youth-Led Organizations to Advance the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda: A Data-Driven Approach. The event will focus on the evidence for funding and supporting youth-led organizations working in the field of peace and security. It will also be a broader call to reflect on the need for a results-based approach, and for entities to convene around monitoring and evaluation for youth engagement